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Finally, cooler weather has moved into the Tampa Bay area and the water temperatures have dropped to the upper 60’s and this has had a huge impact on the concentrations of fish. When the water cools, fish seek warmth. There are areas in the upper Tampa Bay regions that hold hundreds of snook due to the water depth and a muddy bottom that builds heat during the day and retains it overnight. Not only do these snook congregate in astounding numbers, they’re extremely hungry.

Once I set up to catch these fish, I chum heavily with live bait to activate the bite. After the snook begin to feed, which is usually only a matter of minutes, I start baiting hooks. Then it’s on like Donkey Kong! Most times, a snook will then take your bait as soon as it hits the water. Even beginner fly anglers can get in on the action, because it’s literally like shooting fish in a barrel.

The good news is, this kind of non-stop snook catching last through the rest of fall and all winter long. It’s commonplace for clients to catch 50 or more snook an outing. During the winter of 2015, four separate charters caught and released over 100 snook. Your party could be next!

Not only are the snook huddling up, so are the redfish and trout. Occasionally, I’ll catch trout and some redfish in my snook spots, but usually I move to areas with deeper water. The deeper the water, the warmer. I still chum to get the action going, before baiting the hooks for solid hook-ups.

Cooler weather has also ushered in the king mackerel, aka kings or kingfish. Kingfish are making their annual migration run along our coast as they head back to the Florida Keys for the winter.

My favorite method for catching kingfish is slow trolling with live bait, which usually produces larger fish and is by far the most exciting. Many times, you get to watch the fish take the bait. Other times, a kingfish might skyrocket on a bait trolled in the prop wash.

Many times, I get too busy to write fishing reports as often as I would like. So, if you’re interested in seeing my most recent post, please like my Facebook Page to receive updates. For charter reservations call/text Wade at 813-286-3474.

https://www.afishionado.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/November-17-Report-Photo.jpg13131920wpfishwadehttps://www.afishionado.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/afishionadoheader2.jpgwpfishwade2017-11-03 10:47:142018-02-13 10:07:48November is a Great Month to Fish!

Hues of red begin to color the water during the fall as schools of redfish crisscross many of the grass flats in Tampa Bay

Many Floridians suffered substantial damage and lost income during the passing of Hurricane Irma. Among those the hardest hit were full-time fishing guides in south Florida and the Keys. For some, it may take years to recover and this comes just as tourist usually began visit some of these areas.

With this I mind, now more than ever, when hiring a fishing guide, make sure they are a full-time guide. Over the past few years, there’s been an influx fishing charter booking agencies and part-timers that are frankly, devaluing the industry. I can guarantee you, full-timers like me are going to work harder for your hard-earned money and provide a superior fishing experience.

I’ve made my living as a full-time professional fishing guide for over 20 years. My business success has largely been due to referrals and repeat clientele. That only happens by offering excellent customer service and a great time on the water.

Fortunately, I only had to cancel or reschedule some trips due to Irma, so I’ll be fine. Charter captains further south, not so much. So, if you’re heading south to do some fishing in the next six months or so, hire a full-time guide. His or her livelihood depends on it.

Now, how about a fishing update!

Hues of red begin to color the water during the fall as schools of redfish crisscross many of the grass flats in Tampa Bay. The optimum time to catch these big bull reds is around a good high tide with a strong incoming or outgoing flow. I like to find a secluded spot along the mangroves or an oyster bed and get busy chumming. I chum heavily with live scaled sardines using a chum bait to get the redfish balled up by the boat and many times, catch fish for hours on end.

Shorter days and cooler nights have the water temperatures dropping into the middle to upper 70’s. This change in the season really tantalizes a snook’s appetite. Mangrove shoreline points, oyster beds and creek or river entrances are all holding fish.

I’m preparing kingfish rigs right now. Next mouth, I expect to find king mackerel just offshore as they begin in make their fall migration south to the keys. The annual fall run traditionally begins around Columbus Day.

Who knows, at the rate things are going politically, next fall the kingfish may arrive around Indigenous Peoples’ Day!

Many times, I get too busy to write fishing reports as often as I would like. So, if you’re interested in seeing my most recent post, please like me on Facebook to receive Afishionado updates. For charter reservations call Wade at 813-286-3474.

The mangrove snapper fishing is outstanding right now. Many of the Tampa Bay area rock piles, bridges and artificial reefs are loaded. With a 10-inch minimum and a five fish per person limit, it’s been easy for me to limit out, even when I have four to five anglers on board. While snapper fishing, we’re also catching large Spanish mackerel, trout, jack crevalle, ladyfish, bluefish and the occasional shark, cobia or tarpon.

The catch and lease snook fishing will continue to be brisk for the next six weeks. Snook are still spawning and most of the passes along our coast and bay bridges are stacked with snook. Snook season opens back up for harvest on September 1.

If you like blackened redfish, the best tide to locate a school is around a high tide. This time of year, redfish like to have a lot of water over their backs as they move across the flats. I usually don’t even start looking for redfish until a 2.0 incoming tide or higher. Catching redfish over 30 inches is common this time of year.

Many times, I get too busy to write reports as often as I would like. So, if you’re interested in my recent post, please like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter to receive real-time Afishionado updates. For charter reservations call Wade at 813-286-3474.